Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 632: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the percentage of schools, both primary and post-primary, in Laois and Offaly that do not have sports hall facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27607/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. Information is recorded on a project by project basis.

The Deputy can be assured that My Department fully recognises the key role of physical exercise within the school environment and continues to respond to the need to improve PE facilities for all pupils attending primary and post-primary schools. The provision of such facilities is an integral part of the design process for new school buildings or where an existing school building is undergoing major refurbishment.

In primary schools new PE equipment such as balancing benches and gym mats are funded as part of any major building programme. Regarding specific sports equipment grants, in recent years, my Department has provided in excess of €5.5 million in grant aid to primary schools specifically for this purpose to enable them to provide coaching or mentoring in connection with physical education or to purchase resource materials associated with the provision of physical education. Such materials and equipment would normally have a useful life of several years.

Schools may use their general capitation funding to support the implementation of curricula including Physical Education. Also, all primary schools with permanent recognition receive an annual Minor Works Grant from my Department. Each school gets a standard rate of €3,809 together with a per pupil rate of €12.70. Special Schools and schools with special classes receive an enhanced per pupil rate of €50.80 It is open to school management authorities to use this devolved grant for the purchase of equipment, including physical education equipment, provided it is not required for more urgent works.

Primary schools that establish a class for special needs pupils receive a once-off grant of €6,500 per class to purchase equipment, including physical education equipment, that they feel best meets the needs of the pupils attending the class.

My Department also considers applications for additional grant aid for such equipment where schools can demonstrate that the minor works grant funding is insufficient for this purpose.